Dreamgirls' role requires always being on'

By DENNY DYROFF, For the Journal Register News Service

Monday, April 1, 2013

“Dreamgirls,” the hit musical which is playing at the Du Pont Theatre in Wilmington now through April 7, is a timeless piece that could be set in any era of pop music but actually takes place in the early 1960s.

The Tony Award-winning Broadway show, which made its debut in 1981, tells the story of three young singers from Chicago seeking fame and fortune as recording and performing artists. In the 1960s, the three singers with dreams of making it big in show business could have been the Supremes. In the 2000s, it could have been Destiny’s Child.

“I definitely see parallels with Destiny’s Child and the Supremes,” said Michael Jahlil, during a phone interview late last week.

Jahlil, a native of nearby Chester, plays the role of James “Thunder” Early in the show’s current national tour.

“I’ve been out with this show for three months,” said Jahlil. “I auditioned last summer. Before that, I had seen many different productions of the show, including this national tour.”

“Dreamgirls” focuses on the lives of the Dreamettes, a trio of beautiful girls who started as back-up singers for a rhythm-and-blues star and then rose to fame on their own. Promising young talents Deena Jones, Lorrell Robinson and Effie White are performing as the Dreamettes when ambitious agent Curtis Taylor, Jr. discovers them.

Then, Taylor gets the girls a job as backup singers for James “Thunder” Early. The “drama” shifts into high gear when the beautiful Deena emerges as the star of the group rather than the full-voiced Effie.

“Playing James ‘Thunder’ Early is a role that I like,” said Jahlil. “He’s very complex and I really enjoy playing complex characters. There are a lot of things about him — natural attitudes — that were unfamiliar to me. For example, he’s a liar — a ‘win at all cost- kind of guy.

“I like that James is addicted to the audience — to that instant gratification. Every time I do the show, I get more into that feeling. It is an addiction.”

Jahlil also gets challenged every time he plays the role.

“The toughest thing about doing the role is that James Early has to be ‘on’ at all times,” said Jahlil. “He has to be ‘on’ physically because of the way he moves. With a plethora of emotions, he has to be ‘on’ emotionally. And, he has to be ‘on’ vocally because it’s a very difficult role.”

The show has shown its universal appeal with an award-winning run on Broadway and a number of highly successful national tours.

“Audiences like this show because they automatically connect with the material,” said Jahlil. “There is an excitement. It’s very honest and true. It shows the gritty side of how business — how people’s dreams can get crushed. And, the music is timeless.”

“Dreamgirls” is running now through April 7 at the DuPont Theatre (10th and Market streets, Wilmington, DE, 302-656-4401, www.duponttheatre.com). Tickets range from $40-$75.